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High Performance Program

Information Book

(for a pdf copy click here)

Why a High Performance Program

The High Performance is a Synchro Saskatchewan initiative. Synchro Saskatchewan funded by Sask Sport (lottery dollars), is required to spend 35% of its annual funding from Sask Sport on a program that develops elite level, high performance athletes. Sask Sport mandates that each provincial sport organization develop a four year elite athlete development plan that culminates in sending the best athletes in the province to the Canada Winter Games in the fourth year.  The High Performance Program is currently in the first year of the 2007 to 2011 quadrennial plan.

For years the High Performance (formerly called Sask First) Management Committee has worked extremely hard to develop a program with the vision to create, implement, and maintain a high performance training program for Saskatchewan’s Elite Level Synchronized Swimmers. This program is athlete centered and fosters talent identification, recruitment and development of strong National Stream Athletes. The goal is to provide a strong unified identity for all athletes in the province as members of the HP program.

The High Performance Program is well received by Sask Sport and the Synchro Community at large

Sask Sport is very impressed with Synchro Saskatchewan’s High Performance Program. They have used our submission for the Canada Winter Games Program Assistance Grant as a model for other sports. This is wonderful for our sport as it ensures future funding for our High Performance Elite Program.

The High Performance program has received awards from the Canadian Synchro community for its initiatives to develop national caliber athletes. Guest clinicians that have visited our province compliment this unique and desired program. Some provinces have used our program as a model to develop similar programming in their province. 

Who is eligible to be a participant in the High Performance Program?

Elite Program:
Tier 6 and 7 athletes seeking qualification to Divisional Championships

Development Program:
Synchro Saskatchewan’s High Performance Quad Program will Target through Talent ID all Tier One to Seven Competitive Athletes between the ages of 11 and 17 years. 2011 Canada Winter Games age eligibility is 15 to 21 year old. (Note: the birth date cut off for Canada Games has yet to be determined)

All athletes must be registered with Synchro Saskatchewan.

Program Objectives

The High Performance Program has four main objectives in Year One of the Quad:

#1: Talent Identification (Development).  The High Performance program will scout for and target age eligible athletes for 2011 Canada Games. Targeted athletes will be invited to participate in the High Performance Talent ID Program. This program will provide them with increased opportunity to improve skills and succeed, whatever center they are from, through shared training opportunities and information

#2: Excellence. The High Performance program will target and support Elite Level Athletes in an attempt to qualify athletes for National Team Program. This program with provide increased opportunities for all Elite athletes to improve skills and succeed through shared training opportunities and information

#3: Coach Identification. The High Performance program will target and support eligible coaches for 2011 Canada Games and coaches of athletes participating in Talent ID and Excellence HP Programs. The program will provide mentorship and professional development. Coaches will work with HP Provincial Coach and Top Canadian Coach Guest Clinicians to develop and improve their coaching skills

#4: Improve Standings at Divisionals/National Championships. Program will provide support, sports science and skills training to coaches/athletes that will directly impact their ability to improve results

The High Performance Athlete Training Program

All Elite and Development Athletes in the province train together at centralized training camps under the leadership of the High Performance Director Laurie Wachs. Centralized weekend training camps provide Elite and Development athletes and coaches the opportunity to share in a common vision. Shared goals help athletes and their coaches from clubs across the province achieve standards that are in line with those developed by Synchro Canada for Elite and Development level athletes. All camp content will reflect Synchro Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model.

Camps alternate between the major centers of Regina and Saskatoon and take place over a weekend. The High Performance Director plans all camps, using Synchro Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model to develop a Yearly Training Program. The camps consist of training in the following areas: technical skills (figures and routines), flexibility, conditioning, strength training, mental training and self-esteem development, and nutrition.

Development HP Program
Development Athlete (Talent ID Athlete):

• Must be age eligible for the 2011 Canada Winter Games
• Must be recommended to HP Talent ID Program by Talent Scouts – High Performance Director and National Level Judge. Talent scouts will visit each club in the fall to test/evaluate age eligible athletes

Program will consist of two scheduled training camps for Talent ID Athletes: December 2007 and Post January of 2008. Camps will be two days in length, starting on Saturday and ending on Sunday. Camps will have numerous guest clinicians (Synchro and Sports Science). All camp content will reflect Synchro Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model
Note: There will possibly be two streams of athlete in this program based upon age and skill development

Excellence HP Program
Elite Level Athletes:

• All member of HP Excellence Program must meet a minimum weekly training hour expectation. 10 Hours of Pool Training and Three Cross Training Sessions of 30-90 Minutes (Activities that promote strength and conditioning and overall well being)
• HP Director and National Level Judge will visit each club in the fall. Athletes interested in being selected to Excellence Program must achieve a set standard in Athlete Assistance Technical Skills Testing. There will be figure, routine, fitness, and flexibility components to this testing
• Athletes that meet the training standards and have achieved the standards set out in the Athlete Assistance Technical Skills Testing will be eligible for the Excellence HP Program.

Program will consist of three scheduled training camps for Elite Level Athletes: November 2007, December 2007 and Post January of 2008. Camps will be two days in length, starting on Saturday and ending on Sunday. One or two of these camps will have a guest clinician coach depending on budget available.

National Team Potential Athletes will receive additional training year round supported by the HP Program. Results from 2007 Nationals and 2008 Westerns will determine who in eligible for this additional training.

Based upon 2007 Nationals Results eligible athletes will receive 10 hours of coaching time prior to Westerns (By Program HP Coach or Guest Clinician). Pool costs (one lane rental) will also be covered. Athletes who qualified for any of the 2007 National team trials will be eligible for this support.

Based upon 2008 Western Divisional Results eligible athletes will receive 10 hours of coaching time prior to Nationals (By Program HP Coach). Pool costs (one lane rental) will also be covered. Athletes whose figure results from Westerns when combined with Eastern results are in the top 30 spots will eligible for this support.

HP Coach Development Program
In the first year of the quad the HP Committees goal is to develop a pool of potential coaches that would be eligible to coach Canada Winter Games Team. Coach eligibility for 2011 Winter Games is Full Certification under the National Coaching Certification Program to at least a level 3 Synchro. These coaches must be certified not later then 90 days before the opening of the Games.
All targeted Games Coaches and coaches of athletes participating in HP Programs are invited to attend three HP Camps to meet and work with our consultant clinicians. Note: Athletes attending camps must have a club coach accompany them to camp or they will not be able to participate.
Travel, accommodation/living expenses may be partially covered by HP Program.

Local and out of province, elite level clinicians are utilized at camps. This season we are very lucky to have numerous coaches attend the following camps:

• November – TBA
• January - Lesley Sproule – Former National Team Coach

As well, the program makes use of the “Saskatchewan Sports Science Program” to help develop athletes in the areas of mental training, nutrition and overall conditioning. 

Athlete Assistance Selection Process

Athlete Assistance is provided to Synchro Saskatchewan through a designated portion of the Annual Sask Sport Grant (Minimum 10% of 35% of Annual Funding to Synchro Saskatchewan).

Funds are to be directed to athletes involved in an elite training program and are intended to support those athletes seeking continued and enhanced training opportunities.

The HP Committee develops an annual Athlete Assistance Process to determine those athletes who will receive this financial support based upon the following principles:

• Athlete Assistance recognizes the all-around athlete (as well as her potential), and is intended to provide continued and enhanced training opportunities.
• Athlete Assistance will be provided to Athletes Qualifying for the Excellence Program (special allocation to any athlete that qualifies for National Teams).
• The overall amount per athlete will be determined on an annual basis. Assistance will be provided to the successful athletes at the end of the competitive season.

• The selection process will be based upon Technical Skills (TS) Testing. HP Director and National Level Judge(s) will visit interested clubs in the Fall to perform TS Testing. Athletes that meet the training standards and have achieved the standards set out in the Athlete Assistance Technical Skills Testing will be eligible for the Excellence HP Program and Athlete Assistance Funding
• The process will utilize Synchro Canada National Standards and Processes as a point of comparison in an effort to move Saskatchewan athletes closer to the National Standard. The HP Program will be using a modified version of Phase 1 Testing that was used in August 2007 to select the Canadian Olympic Team
• The process will be based on an objective evaluation of the athletes performance in three main areas: Figure positions/transitions, Routine Skills and Fitness and Flexibility

Rationale behind the HP Program

• This program is fair and equitable for all elite and development athletes of all age levels
• To provide the opportunity for all Elite and Development athletes to pursue their performance goals as individuals within a team format
• This program offers consistency. All Elite and Development athletes are striving for common age/skill related National/Long Term Athlete Development standards
• To provide a program that offers a strong unified identity for all elite and development athletes in the province
• This program improves athletes’ ability to train at an increased level of excellence while also teaching athletes the integral skill of “How to compete”
• This program provides a smooth transition into “Canada Games Year” ensuring that the Trials and Selection needs and processes for Canada Games Teams are taken into account
• To provide the opportunity to develop and establish standards for coaches that are involved in the High Performance Training Program
• To provide a program that administers professional development funding for coaches who are level three and beyond

How does your athlete/coach benefit from the HP Program?

In order to provide consistency for the athletes, coach development is an integral component of the program. In conjunction with the High Performance events, learning opportunities are provided for coaches. All coaches in the province are encouraged to use the same focus and objectives when teaching skills, which leads to consistency. Strong club coaching benefits the athlete.

Camps provide a forum for communication among Elite and Development coaches and improve the coaches’ level of expertise in their, technical, practical, and theoretical skills by working with and learning from each other and outside clinicians.

Competition opportunities are integrated into the camps with the intent to provide competition experience for athletes and training/development for judges. These competitions simulations evaluate the athlete’s skill and provide information on skill level and how they compare to others of their age and skill level. This information is valuable for coaches and athletes when determining goals, training focus etc. 

Ultimately, an equitable, professional program that brings athletes and coaches together from all clubs in the province ensures the recruitment of new athletes to the HP Program. Shared success, achievement of goals, and consistent support keeps swimmers swimming and clubs growing.

By making this a group effort, the Saskatchewan Team (Synchro Sask Athletes, coaches, staff, judges, parents, and volunteers) is assured a positive outcome in the future.

Has the program had success thus far?

As stated before the HP Program works on a four year Quad Plan. Athletes from the fourth year of our last quad (2006/2007) and athletes identified in the first two years (2007-2009) of the current HP Quad will compromise the majority of athletes on the 2011 Canada Winter Games Team. 
In our last Quad we produced two first ever results for our province. A Team Routine National Title was captured by the Saskatoon Aqualenes Tier 6 Team. We are very proud of Jessica Guenther who won our first ever Medal at a Canada Winter Games placing third in the solo event.

Every year since the inception of the program we have seen club programs achieve increased success and climb in standings at Western Divisionals and Nationals.  For the past two years we have placed a swimmer on the National 13-15 Team. The program places high standards on program athletes and their coaches. This has led to athletes and coaches having higher expectations and more confidence in themselves at competition. Success breeds success – once athlete’s and coaches’ experiences success they are motivated to continue to attain that level of success or even set their goals higher.

The High Performance (Sask First) Program is a group effort. Team Saskatchewan which includes athletes, coaches, staff, judges, parents and volunteers will continue to flourish if we continue to work together, cooperatively, and with enthusiasm to ensure that high performance synchronized swimming continues to thrive in this province.

The High Performance Management Committee

High Performance Chair – Leanne Smith 
High Performance Director – Laurie Wachs
*Club Representatives – Manon Guenther (SAQ) and Amanda Lewis (RS)
Athletes Representative – Laura Gawley
Member at Large – Pat Cooley and Erinn Bartsch
Synchro Sask President (Arlene Geisler)
VP Sport Development, Synchro Sask – 

Club representation on the committee is crucial, as they are your link to the High Performance program. Any questions or concerns about the program should be forwarded to your club representative who is responsible to speak to these issues at committee meetings. Club reps are responsible for education of club membership regarding the High Performance program. It is the responsibility of the club rep to relay committee decisions and rationale behind these decisions to club membership.